Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube and is conveyed between upstream and downstream ends. The thermoplastic material may be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which may prevent or at least reduce incidence of “birdcaging”.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube and is conveyed between upstream and downstream ends. The thermoplastic material may be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which may prevent or at least reduce incidence of “birdcaging”.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: A thermally driven power generator having a base and a heat source placed within the base. The thermally driven power generator further having a heat collector is adapted to collect the heat from the heat source through a plurality of fins and a heat sink adapted to release heat into the environment. The thermally driven power generator further having a thermal electric power generation module is sandwiched between the heat collector and a heat sink; the thermal electric power generation module is designed to convert heat collected by the heat collector to electrical power. A tray assembly for a thermally driven power generator, the tray assembly having: a transport tray; and a magnetic element integrated with the transport tray, the magnetic element designed to attract a wick keeper of a candle such that the wick is held in place.

Abstract: A thermally driven power generator having a base and a heat source placed within the base. The thermally driven power generator further having a heat collector is adapted to collect the heat from the heat source through a plurality of fins and a heat sink adapted to release heat into the environment. The thermally driven power generator further having a thermal electric power generation module is sandwiched between the heat collector and a heat sink; the thermal electric power generation module is designed to convert heat collected by the heat collector to electrical power. A tray assembly for a thermally driven power generator, the tray assembly having: a transport tray; and a magnetic element integrated with the transport tray, the magnetic element designed to attract a wick keeper of a candle such that the wick is held in place.

Abstract: A thermally driven power generator having a base and a heat source placed within the base. The thermally driven power generator further having a heat collector is adapted to collect the heat from the heat source through a plurality of fins and a heat sink adapted to release heat into the environment. The thermally driven power generator further having a thermal electric power generation module is sandwiched between the heat collector and a heat sink; the thermal electric power generation module is designed to convert heat collected by the heat collector to electrical power. A tray assembly for a thermally driven power generator, the tray assembly having: a transport tray; and a magnetic element integrated with the transport tray, the magnetic element designed to attract a wick keeper of a candle such that the wick is held in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: Modified handrails for use in escalators, moving walkways and other transportation apparatus are provided. Handrail can include a configuration for a cable array as a stretch inhibitor that reduces cable buckling under severe flexing conditions. Handrail can also include a configuration for first and second thermoplastic layers in the lip portions that reduces strain and bending stresses and increases fatigue failure life under cyclic loading conditions. Handrail can also include, for the stretch inhibitor, the use of cables comprising large outer strands and small inner strands that enable penetration and adhesion within the first layer and can reduce incidence of fretting or corrosion.

Abstract: A thermally driven power generator having a base and a heat source placed within the base. The thermally driven power generator further having a heat collector is adapted to collect the heat from the heat source through a plurality of fins and a heat sink adapted to release heat into the environment. The thermally driven power generator further having a thermal electric power generation module is sandwiched between the heat collector and a heat sink; the thermal electric power generation module is designed to convert heat collected by the heat collector to electrical power. A tray assembly for a thermally driven power generator, the tray assembly having: a transport tray; and a magnetic element integrated with the transport tray, the magnetic element designed to attract a wick keeper of a candle such that the wick is held in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreatment of slider layer for extruded handrails has a slider layer source, a means of conveying the slider layer to a heating module which subjects the slider layer to an elevated temperature for a residence time, and a means of conveying the slider layer to an extrusion die head. One or more control feeders may be implemented for maintaining portions of the slider layer in a substantially tension-free loop as the slider layer is conveyed from the slider layer source to the extrusion die head. A cooling zone may be included to ensure adequate cooling between the heating module and the extrusion die head. Means for reducing heat transfer between the extrusion die head and the slider layer is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Abstract: Modified handrails for use in escalators, moving walkways and other transportation apparatus are provided. Handrail can include a configuration for a cable array as a stretch inhibitor that reduces cable buckling under severe flexing conditions. Handrail can also include a configuration for first and second thermoplastic layers in the lip portions that reduces strain and bending stresses and increases fatigue failure life under cyclic loading conditions. Handrail can also include, for the stretch inhibitor, the use of cables comprising large outer strands and small inner strands that enable penetration and adhesion within the first layer and can reduce incidence of fretting or corrosion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreatment of slider layer for extruded handrails has a slider layer source, a means of conveying the slider layer to a heating module which subjects the slider layer to an elevated temperature for a residence time, and a means of conveying the slider layer to an extrusion die head. One or more control feeders may be implemented for maintaining portions of the slider layer in a substantially tension-free loop as the slider layer is conveyed from the slider layer source to the extrusion die head. A cooling zone may be included to ensure adequate cooling between the heating module and the extrusion die head. Means for reducing heat transfer between the extrusion die head and the slider layer is also provided.

Abstract: A film and a method of applying the film to a handrail of an escalator or moving walkway are provided. The film can be a single or double layered film. Printed matter, e.g. advertising, can be applied to or between the films. An apparatus and related method for applying the film are also included and rely on the motion of the handrail to unroll a supply of the film, with one or more rollers pressing the film onto the handrail. The film is stretched during application to prestretch and reduce tendency for compressive strains in use to cause wrinkling of the film and detachment from the handrail. To retain the ends of the film in relative position, a film cap is fused or bonded to end portions of the film.

Abstract: A film and a method of applying the film to a handrail of an escalator or moving walkway are provided. The film can be a single or double layered film. Printed matter, e.g. advertising, can be applied to or between the films. An apparatus and related method for applying the film are also included and rely on the motion of the handrail to unroll a supply of the film, with one or more rollers pressing the film onto the handrail. The film is stretched during application to prestretch and reduce tendency for compressive strains in use to cause wrinkling of the film and detachment from the handrail. To retain the ends of the film in relative position, a film cap is fused or bonded to end portions of the film.

Abstract: A film and a method of applying the film to a handrail of an escalator or moving walkway are provided. The film can be a single or double layered film. Printed matter, e.g. advertising, can be applied to or between the films. An apparatus and related method for applying the film are also included and rely on the motion of the handrail to unroll a supply of the film, with one or more rollers pressing the film onto the handrail. The film is stretched during application to prestretch and reduce tendency for compressive strains in use to cause wrinkling of the film and detachment from the handrail. To retain the ends of the film in relative position, a film cap is fused or bonded to end portions of the film.